Nutrients & More
Have you ever wondered what exactly makes certain foods so good for you? Beyond the familiar vitamins and minerals, there's a fascinating world of health-promoting compounds that play a vital role in well-being. This section dives into health-promoting compounds of all kinds, including the well-known ones like
Just to be clear, not everything covered here is a "nutrient" in the classical sense. By definition, nutrients are compounds that the human body requires for normal functioning, growth, and maintenance. On the other hand, many of the compounds we explore, like the above mentioned quercetin and ellagic acid, or the much-touted resveratrol, are not considered essential for survival; yet they promote health in powerful ways. We have decided to include these phytochemicals here because they are food components just like nutrients, and because their health effects are worth learning about, even if they don't appear on your standard nutrition label.
Many of the nutrients we talk about are only needed in tiny amounts; these are known as micronutrients. But we also cover macronutrients—the proteins, fats, and carbohydrates your body needs in larger quantities. For instance, if you've ever wondered how to balance your fat intake, we explain what the optimal omega-6 to omega-3 ratio looks like and why it matters. For those avoiding animal products, we also have a list of plant-based omega-3 sources for vegans. If you do eat eggs, don't miss out on our comparison of omega-3 eggs vs regular eggs!
Much of the content in this section focuses on either the best food sources of specific nutrients and phytochemicals, or their overall health benefits. But we also explore how certain nutrients may affect specific conditions. For example, we have a whole article exploring research done on vitamin C and asthma. And while you're at it, why don't you also check out our article on the potential weight loss benefits of vitamin C? Yep, it's not only macronutrients and calories that infuence your weight, but also vitamins, minerals and even phytochemicals like anthocyanins may promote weight loss, directly or indirectly.
Ready to dive into the wonderful world of nutrient research? Scroll down (on mobile) or look to the right (on desktop) to explore Today's Selection of articles covering various aspects of health-promoting compounds, including both classic nutrients and exciting plant-based compounds you might not have even heard of yet.